Mexican tattoos have come a long way from the stereotype gang tattoos that most people wrongly associate with Hispanics and their culture. Although gang tattoos are quite extensive they have even made it into mainstream street culture with sexy Latinas, chicas and wannabe homeboys adopting this gangbanger style.
Many Mexican tattoos such as these will have gang or criminal affiliations such as the number 13 which signifies the 13th letter of the alphabet, the letter M, meaning La Eme or The M; the Mexican Mafia. Or the three dots usually found on the hand beween the thumb and forefinger which has come to mean Mi Vida Loca or My Crazy Life. But Mexican tattoos aren't all about gangs or prison time.
'Mexican Day of the Dead' inspired design © Anna at Annagram
Mexico is predominantly a Catholic country and this has had a major influence in the style of tattoos worn by many Mexicans. Images of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ are quite popular. There are many variations of the Virgin Mary depicted as an apparition or protective mother. Similarly Jesus is often depicted in the classic Sacred Heart tattoo or depicted on a cross.
Cross tattoos are hugely popular amongst Mexican males in particular. The usual place to have them done in on the chest or covering the entire back. For females the depiction of the Sacred Heart on the chest is another popular style.
With such a rich history in Mexico you would expect that Aztec or Mayan tattoo designs would be quite prominent. The Mayans and Aztecs were renowned for their body art yet this is not really the case in Mexico. As you would expect the majority of people who request these types of designs are not of Hispanic origin. Go figure!
